Server, Virtualization and Database Backup Review
Hyper-V, VMware, physical servers, SQL and file servers: we check every system is covered and can be restored in the right order.
A crash-consistent database backup may not restore cleanly
Transactional systems need application-aware backups and tested restores with the application owner.
Nothing restores until identity and DNS are back
Your restore order must start with the systems everything else depends on.
Coverage is where most gaps start
Most backup failures we see are not product failures. They are servers added after the backup jobs were built, databases backed up as files while running, and restore orders that forget identity, DNS and licensing.
The audit compares your server and VM inventory with your backup jobs, checks how databases and applications are protected, and reviews the restore order for tier 1 systems.
For Windows domains, domain controller and directory backups are covered in depth by the Active Directory backup and recovery audit.
What we check for servers and VMs
| Area | What we look for |
|---|---|
| Coverage | Every server and VM in the inventory appears in a backup job |
| New systems | Build process adds new servers to backups automatically |
| Databases | SQL and other databases use application-aware backups and log backups where RPO requires |
| Hypervisor | Host configuration, cluster settings and VM templates are backed up |
| Identity | Domain controllers, DNS and Entra Connect are included and restore order is documented |
| Network devices | Firewall and switch configurations are backed up after changes |
What we look for and why
Inventory vs jobs
We line up the asset inventory with backup job lists. Every gap gets a row in the findings workbook.
Application owners
Restores of business applications should be tested with the people who use them, not only by IT.
Restore order
A written restore order turns a long night into a checklist.
A finding from the sample report
- Area
- Inventory and coverage
- Finding
- Three production VMs are not in any backup job
- Severity
- High
- Evidence
- Hyper-V host HV02 runs 11 VMs; backup jobs cover 8. The three unprotected VMs include the scanning and document management server added last year.
- Fix
- Add the VMs to backup jobs now, add a backup step to the server build checklist, and run a weekly report that compares VM inventory with protected VMs.
Every finding in the real report has this shape. See the full sample report
A read-only audit in five steps
Scoping call
We confirm your systems, backup products, cloud services, compliance needs and who on your side should take part.
Documents and interviews
We request your backup reports, DR plan, restore test records and BIA, and interview your IT lead and the business owners of critical systems.
Read-only review
We review backup consoles and cloud vaults through a read-only role or a screen-share. Nothing is installed or changed.
Analysis
96 checks in 8 domains, each rated Pass, Partial, Fail or Not applicable, with the evidence behind it.
Report and roadmap
Executive summary, technical report, risk register, remediation roadmap and Excel workbook, walked through on a call.
Where to go next
Active Directory backup and recovery audit
Domain controller and directory recovery.
Restore testing and evidence
Proving servers and databases restore.
Want a quick self-check first? Backup and disaster recovery self-assessment · Ransomware recovery cost estimator
Page 8 of 16: Server, VM & database backup
- 1. Backup & Disaster Recovery Audit (hub)
- 2. Backup strategy: 3-2-1 and 3-2-1-1-0
- 3. Immutable & air-gapped backups
- 4. RPO, RTO, uptime & availability
- 5. Backup security hardening
- 6. Cloud backup for business
- 7. Microsoft 365 backup
- 8. Server, VM & database backup (this page)
- 9. Restore testing & evidence
- 10. Disaster recovery plan & DRaaS
- 11. Backup vendor selection guide
- 12. Backup compliance requirements
- 13. Sample report
- 14. Backup & DR checklist
- 15. Pricing
- 16. How to audit backups
Guided by Ali Hassani, CISO
Certified CISO (C|CISO) and CISSP with 25+ years in IT, cybersecurity, compliance and infrastructure, and dozens of Microsoft and Cisco certifications, including MCSE, MCITP, MCSA Security, CCNP and CCNA. Every backup and disaster recovery audit is read-only, vendor-neutral and written so an owner and an administrator can both act on it.
Questions IT leaders ask
Do you review VMware and Hyper-V?
Yes. The audit is vendor-neutral and covers physical servers, Hyper-V, VMware and cloud VMs, whatever backup product protects them.
Do you change anything in our backup system?
No. The audit is read-only. We review settings, job history and documents through a read-only role or a screen-share with your administrator. We never change, delete or run backup jobs.
Do you sell backup products?
No. OC Security Audit does not resell any backup product and earns no referral fees. If you want help installing or reconfiguring the product you choose, IT Perfection can do that work separately.
Implementation partner
OC Security Audit stays independent and read-only, and does not resell any backup product. If you want hands-on help installing or reconfiguring the product you choose, adding immutable storage or running restore tests, IT Perfection can do that work and support ongoing operations.
Find the servers your backups are missing
Schedule a consultation. We scope the backup and disaster recovery audit in 30 minutes and quote one fixed price: $3,500, any organization size.
Read-only audit. No changes to your systems. Irvine, Orange County and Southern California on-site; remote nationwide.